Flower Anatomy For Kids

Although they usually look somewhat small and simple, flowers are actually rather complex when you take the time to examine them in detail. They have many specialized parts that perform different functions to ensure their survival. For example, certain parts of the flower have reproductive functions, while others help to convert sunlight into energy or attract bugs to help with pollination. All of these different parts work together to help keep the plant healthy and alive. Read on to learn more about the fascinating world of flowers!

Types of Flowers

Imperfect Flower – An imperfect flower has either male parts or female parts, but never both, such as melon flowers or corn flowers. The two different kinds of imperfect flowers are Staminate (which only have stamens) and Pistillate (which only have pistils).

Perfect Flower – On the other hand, a perfect flower has both male and female parts, which are the stamen and the ovary. Perfect flowers differ from imperfect flowers, because since they have both female and male parts, they can reproduce on their own. Whereas imperfect flowers require pollination from an outside source.

Parts

Anther – The anther is a male part of the flower that lies within the stamen. It is the part that contains the flower’s pollen supply.

Calyx – The calyx is made up of the flower’s sepals and it is the green layer at the base of the flower. The calyx is a non-sexual flower part.

Filament – The filament is a very thin type of type that connects the anthers to the body of the flower. It makes up the male part of the flower, called the stamen.

Ovary – The ovary of a flower is the female reproductive part. When the ovule inside the ovary is fertilized, the ovary grows into a fruit.

Ovule – The ovule, also a female element, is a part inside the ovary and it contains a small cell. When the cell is fertilized, it turns into a seed, which can then grow into a new plant.

Peduncle – The peduncle is the slender stem that attaches the flower to the main plant and it is a non-sexual part.

Petal – Petals are the large colorful parts of the flower that we normally notice the most. Apart from their vivid colors, they also contain scented oils that help to attract insects. Petals are not sexual parts of the flower.

Sepal – Sepals are the small green leaf-like structures that are found on the outside below the petals. Like the petals, sepals are neither male nor female.

Stigma – When bees and insects drop pollen into a flower, the stigma is the top-most female part at the center of the flower that receives the pollen.

Style – The style is a long tube that connects the flower’s stigma to the ovary. This female part usually has small hairs that help catch any tiny pollen grains that fall. The style helps guide the pollen directly to the ovary so that the ovules can become fertilized.